Team to be updated after the lineups are announced.

Match details:

Club Friendlies
Real Madrid vs AC Milan
Worthersee Stadion, Austria
August 8, 2021
10:00 PM IST

Preview:

Real Madrid will round off their preparations for the upcoming season as they take on Italian giants AC Milan in a friendly game in Austria on Sunday. Los Blancos havent had the ideal pre-season though. They have mostly played training ground matches between themselves and only one confirmed friendly against the Rangers, which they lost by a 2-1 margin. Things havent been great from the financial side as well. Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos have departed whereas they have brought in David Alaba on a free transfer. However, they finished just two points behind eventual La Liga champions Atletico Madrid last season and they will believe that they can do a bit better and claim the throne this time.

Milan, however, still have two friendly games remaining before they start their Serie A campaign on August 23. They have played four Friendlies so far. Milan started with 6-0 and 5-0 wins against Pro Sesto and Modena respectively and then followed it up with a 1-1 draw against Nice and a loss on penalties against Valencia. The Red and Blacks finished second in the last Serie A season and have bolstered their squad this time with the multiple signings of Fikayo Tomori, Mike Maignan, Sandro Tonali, Fode Ballo-Toure, Brahim Diaz and Olivier Giroud. That certainly gives a strong look to the squad and it looks like they are ready to post a stiff challenge for the title this time.

Probable starting lineups:

Real Madrid
Courtois; Carvajal, Alaba, Nacho, Marcelo; Modric, Valverde, Odegaard; Rodrygo, Benzema, Hazard

AC Milan
Maignan; Conti, Tomori, Romagnoli, Ballo-Toure; Tonali, Krunic; Castillejo, Diaz, Rebic; Giroud

Top picks:

Karim Benzema: The French striker had a terrific outing last season. In 46 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid, Benzema netted 30 goals and assisted nine times. He will be looking to carry his good form forward here.

Luka Modric: The versatile midfielder is a vital part of Real Madrids midfield. Modric not only holds up the oppositions attackers but also contributes immensely to Real Madrids offense. He scored six goals and assisted an equal number of times in 48 appearances across all competitions last season.

Olivier Giroud: The French striker is known for his strong presence in the final third and superb aerial ability. Giroud made 31 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea last season and netted a total of 11 goals. He will be looking to come up with even better numbers for his new club.

Other important players:

Ante Rebic will be an important part of AC Milans plans as well. He scored 11 goals and assisted nine times in 33 appearances across all competitions last season. Samu Castillejo is also a vital cog of Milans midfield. He scored three goals and assisted four times across all competitions last season. For Real Madrid, all eyes will be on their new recruit David Alaba. Playing for Bayern Munich last season, Alaba netted two goals and assisted seven times.

Captaincy options (in order of priority):

Karim Benzema
Olivier Giroud
Luka Modric

Fantasy team:

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.